Art Therapy – Monthly Newsletter – May 2025
Unlocking Healing Through Creativity
Many people struggle with speaking about how they are feeling any people are looking for new ways to express themselves, manage emotions, and find inner peace. One powerful approach that’s gaining recognition is art therapy—a unique blend of creativity and psychology that helps people explore their feelings without having to find the “right words.”
What Is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses creative expression as a tool for healing and self-discovery. It’s facilitated by trained art therapists—mental health professionals who combine researched knowledge of psychology with art techniques to help clients communicate and process their emotions.
You don’t need to be “good” at art or have an art background to benefit from this therapy. It isn’t about creating masterpieces—it’s about using lines, color, shapes, and images to express what’s going on internally.
How Expressive Arts Therapy Helps
Expressive Arts therapy offers a different route into the emotional mind. It allows people to express things that may be too difficult, confusing, or painful to talk about directly. Through drawing, painting, sculpting, or collage, individuals can:
- Explore emotions
- Relieve stress and anxiety
- Process trauma or grief
- Improve self-awareness and self-esteem
- Strengthen problem-solving skills
- Promote mindfulness and focus
For many, creating art in a supportive setting opens the door to conversations, realizations, and growth that might otherwise stay locked away.
Who Can Benefit from Expressive Arts Therapy?
The beauty of expressive arts therapy is that it’s versatile—it can support people of all ages and backgrounds, including:
- Children who have difficulty verbalizing emotions
- Teens struggling with identity, anxiety, trauma, or peer pressure
- Adults dealing with stress, depression, or trauma
- Seniors facing memory loss or loneliness
- Veterans processing PTSD
- Anyone looking for a nonverbal way to heal and connect
It’s is a gentle, powerful way to get in touch with your inner world. It meets you where you are—no pressure, no judgment—and gives you tools to understand, heal, and grow. Whether you’re navigating big emotions or simply seeking a new outlet for self-care, Expressive arts therapy can open a door to healing that words alone sometimes can’t.
Art Therapy Resources
Art Therapy Toolkit
American Art Therapy Association PDF explaining it
Art Therapy in Action (shown in action from renowned art therapists)
15 Expressive Therapy Activities & Ideas for Kids
Stepping Into the Circle: Inviting Spirit Through Medicine Wheel Teachings in the Expressive Therapies Continuum
6 Steps to Mindfully Deal With Difficult Emotions
For more information on how Expressive Arts Therapy can benefit you, contact us at:
info@riverpinescounseling.com or call: 651-383-6054
“Take a deep breath and relax. River Pines Counseling is ready to support your development journey.”
